Setting up a Gmail Account & Email Safety

Setting up a Gmail Account & Email Safety Patrick Therrien Technology & Education Training Specialist

Email Basics • Send & receive digital messages and content over the internet • Productivity Tool • Calendar • Address book • Web-based email can be accessd anytime & anywhere

Email Addresses • Format: • Username • @ • Provider’s domain • Ex. peter101@yahoo.com • Free Email Account Providers: • Yahoo • Microsoft’s Hotmail • Google’s Gmail

Setting up a Gmail Account Go to: www.gmail.com Click here to Create your Account

Creating a Gmail Account Enter a password Enter or choose a security question or write your own.

Creating a Gmail Account Type in your birthdate month/day/year Type in the word in the “word verification” box Click on the I accept. Create my account button You can either use Google as your home page or a tab on your home page

Creating a Gmail Account Congratulations Click on Show me my account

Gmail Inbox for your Account Notice the 3 email from Google in your inbox 3 tutorials explaining some of the features of Gmail.

Composing a “New Message” • Click on “New” or “Compose” • Contacts • Like an address book • Contains email addresses & contact information

Properly Addressing a Message • Subject: • Brief description • CC (Carbon Copy) • To include other people in an email message • BC (Blind Carbon Copy) • Addresses will not be visible to other parties. • Attachments • Attach or Upload files

Draft or Send • Draft: • Save it to send later • Send • Only click on when the message is complete and ready to go.

Inbox Shows all incoming mail you have received Click on the email to read it. All unread emails are usually marked in bold text

Reply or Reply All • Reply • When you want to respond to an email • New window will appear to compose your message • Reply All • The message will be sent to all parties in the email. • **Caution** Always check the “To” box before hitting the “send” button to avoid embarrassment of sending it to the wrong people.

Forwarding an Email • Forward • Share an email message with another individual

SPAM or Junk Email • Spam • Carries viruses and fraudulent scams • Do NOT open it • Move it to the Spam Folder • Do NOT open files with a attachment that has a file extension ending in: • .exe • .zip • .scr

Folders or Labels • Folders or Labels • Allow you to organize your emails for quicker reference.

Trash or Deleted Items • Deleted Items • To delete click on the “Delete” Command • Once it is deleted from the trash folder “it’s gone” • Trash Folder • Items in the trash folder are accessible

Email Etiquette • Email Do’s: • Keep emails clear and concise • Use a relevant subject line • Add a greeting and closing line to your email • "Dear Angela” • Closing • Sincerely • Thanks • Followed by your name • Be aware of your tone in your email

Email Etiquette (cont.) • Check your email before sending • Check it for spelling and grammar errors • Check the content and wording • Check your recipients • To • CC • BCC

Email Etiquette • Email Don’ts • Don’t use caps lock • An overlong signature • Don’t use hard-to-read fonts or colors • Don't overuse Reply to All • Don't try to cover too many topics • Don't forward chain emails

Professionalism in Emailing • Professionalism • Not too informal • No profanity • Never convey anger • Always read your emails before sending • Don’t discuss confidential information • Think before you send!

Companies are Monitoring • Businesses today are monitoring • Don’t use your work email to write anything derogatory • Social Media • Is monitored • Beware what you post

Online Phishing Scams • Fishing for confidential information • Receive an e-mail which appears to originate from a financial institution • Describes an urgent reason you must "verify" or "re-submit • Consumer may be asked to provide Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords or other information • When the consumer provides the information, those perpetrating the fraud can begin to access consumer accounts or assume the person's identity.

Protect Yourself from Phishing • Don’t reply to emails that ask for personal or financial information • Never click links within emails that ask for personal or financial information • Avoid cutting and pasting links from an email message into a new browser window • Never call company phone numbers listed in an email. • Don’t email personal or financial information • Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, a firewall, and spam filters.

Phishing • Here is an example of a Phishing Scam

Fraudulent Emails • Subject lines that: • Look important • Show concern • Examples: • Message Alert • Unauthorized Log-In Access Denied • Email Verification Required

Questions • Questions or Comments? • Patrick.therrien@mestate.lib.me.us

Setting up a Gmail Account & Email Safety